86-year-old man charged in Oconee women's deaths

WESTMINSTER - The Oconee County Sheriff's Office has brought two murder charges against an elderly man suspected in the violent deaths of two women.

The sheriff's office issued an arrest warrant Sunday for 86-year-old Nicholas Bonelli, whose listed address — 350 Smith Farm Road in Westminster — was the same as one of the victims, 82-year-old Clarine Smith.

Authorities have not said what their relationship was.

Bonnelli was found injured on Friday in the Westminster home he shared with Smith. Her body and that of her 62-year-old niece, Sandra Smith Myers, were found at the same time.

Myers, a Seneca resident, was visiting her aunt Friday. Myers' son drove to the house and found his mother and great aunt in the living room on Friday after he failed to reach them by phone.

Oconee County Coroner Karl Addis issued a report Sunday saying the homicides likely happened between 2:30 and 4:30 p.m. Friday. He said Smith died of a head injury and that Myers died of one stab wound to the chest.